Private companies have started busting the effects of sanctions, with Mbada Diamonds yesterday [October 18\ donating at least 20 patrol vehicles to the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to be used for anti-poaching in game parks. The parks authority has been failing to fulfil its mandate in protecting wildlife after some donors withdrew their support following the imposition of illegal sanctions on the country by the West. This weakened the authority resulting in its failure to patrol the game parks and deal with poaching. Recently, some poachers used cyanide to poison elephants. Mbada will handover the Land Rover Defender vehicles worth more than US$1,2 million in batches of five and at least 10 have been availed. Mbada Diamonds chief administration officer Mr Major Mahlangu said they increased the number of the vehicles from 10 which were previously pledged after 11 more elephant carcasses were found at Hwange this week, bringing to more than 100 the number that has died so far due to cyanide poisoning. “What has transpired in Hwange National Park to our elephants and other wildlife species is synonymous to the use and deployment of arms of mass destruction — chemical and biological warfare against our wildlife heritage,” he said. Mr Mahlangu said national response on poaching should be swift, resolute, coordinated and sustained. “The implications of the tragedy are potentially catastrophic if not decisively brought under check,” he said. More....